Marcus Freeman downplays added importance of playing more challenging opponent in Week 1

There are plenty of games in Week 1 of the college football season where teams play what could be seen as a weaker opponent, or a cupcake game. That hasn’t been the case for Notre Dame under head coach Marcus Freeman, though, and those challenging Week 1 games continue for the Irish in 2025.

Notre Dame will open its 2025 season on the road against Miami. Despite that, Freeman appeared on Always College Football, where he downplayed any added importance that may come from the game.

“You never want your team to prepare a different way because of the opponent,” Marcus Freeman said. “So, I don’t love that analogy of, ‘Hey, you’ve got a big-time opponent, you’re going to prepare a different way.’ But it’s what does your team need?”

Notre Dame has been playing high-profile opening games for some time now. The Irish have opened with a Power Conference opponent in all but one season since 2018. Freeman, for his part, became a defensive coordinator in 2021 and head coach for the Irish in 2022. During his time as the head coach, Freeman opened with a road game at Ohio State, a game against Navy in Ireland, and on the road against Texas A&M.

That recent history has given Freeman and the Irish some comfort in the position they find themselves now. That’s preparing to open the 2025 season on the road at Miami. Uniquely, this time they’re going to be doing it without an experienced quarterback, as the Irish had been backfilling the role with experienced transfers in recent seasons. That adds to the unknown and internal approach Freeman is taking.

“We’re going to have whoever our starting quarterback is, it’s going to be their first time starting. So, as I look at this training camp,” Freeman said. “It’s how many high-pressure situations can we put these quarterbacks in to make sure they can execute before we get out there down in South Florida. I think, for me, it’s looking at what does your team need? Not the opponent, as much as what your current team needs to make sure they’re prepared and have some of those questions answered before the real bullets get flying.”

Notre Dame still hasn’t announced a starting quarterback. As of now, though, it appears to be a two-way battle between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey.

Marcus Freeman admits Notre Dame could use two-quarterback system in 2025

Marcus Freeman hasn’t let much slip about the quarterback battle at Notre Dame. One thing he did recently share, though, was that there is a chance the Irish could use a two-quarterback system at times.

“Absolutely. You’re going to look for any way to help your team win. If that means you use two quarterbacks for certain situations, then you’re going to find a way to use two quarterbacks. There might be two quarterbacks on the field at the same time. Who knows? Creativity is so important, and we have some creative football coaches and players here that we’ll come up with the right plan,” Freeman said.

“You’re going to have one starter. You’re going to have one guy that’s going to be your quarterback. But I can see us using both quarterbacks to find a way to help us win.”